Ryecroft CofE Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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145375 Unique Reference Number 05 April 2007 Inspection date Jan Healy Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1993. She lives with her husband one adult and one teenager, in the town of Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and a bedroom on the first floor for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children when working alone or with an assistant, or for eight children when working with two assistants. Currently, she is caring for seven children from one to four years of age. The family have two pet cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Comprehensive steps are taken to keep the children healthy whilst in the care of the childminder, for example, the children are taught about the adverse effects germs have on their bodies. They learn to wash their face and hands thoroughly after playing with the family pet and playing in the garden, before eating and after using the bathroom. If a child becomes ill during their

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 stay, they are separated from the other children and their parent is contacted, if a child arrives ill, the childminder requests that they are taken home, so their illness is not spread to the other children in her care. Written information informs parents of the necessity to adhere to the sick child policy. During outdoor play, the children are taught about the benefit of applying sun cream and the wearing of a hat, which the parents are requested to provide to maintain the good health of the children. The childminder is aware that all pets carry potential health and safety risks, therefore, she keeps the pets free from disease and takes this opportunity to teach the children about the care of animals and about animal behaviour. The childminder has superior knowledge about first aid and requests written parental permission for the seeking of emergency

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Helping children to be healthy

medical advice or treatment, to prevent the delay in the children receiving appropriate care. All accidents are carefully recorded and risk assessments take place to eliminate preventable safety hazards. Parents provide their prior written consent for any medication administered to the children and they are kept fully informed about the dose and time given, to protect their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy the fresh air and exercise in the fully enclosed garden and when on outings, helping to enhance their health and fitness. They join in with action songs, for example, 'The Hockey Cockey', aiding their stamina. The children have the advantage of having a healthy and nutritious diet, containing fresh fruit and vegetables each day and are taught about the effects certain foods have on their growing bodies. They each have their own drinking cup, which is topped up during the day, to prevent the children from becoming dehydrated. The childminder has excellent food handling practices, as she attends training courses in food hygiene and ensures all foods are stored at an appropriate temperature, are not out of date and are thoroughly re-heated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children and parents enter a warm and welcoming home, where the parents have the benefit of a notice board, containing relevant information about the childminder's provision and current legislation, helping to keep them up to date about any changes. The home is child friendly, as children's artwork is sensitively displayed at their physical height, so they are able to wallow in their success and creative freedom. The children have the benefit of ample space for play, where they take part in a vast range of activities, which aids their learning and development. The home is kept to a comfortable temperature at all times, so the children play and rest in contentment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is furnished with safe and well maintained resources and equipment, which meets the varying needs and ages of the children being cared for. A substantial choice of toys, allows the children to develop their own ideas, which they are able to self-select, as they are stored within their reach, helping to enhance their independence. A booster seat and step assists the younger children in using the bathroom without adult help, and a highchair allows the younger children to join the older children at the table during mealtimes and play, making for a sociable occasion.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is meticulous about the safety of the children in her care and takes positive steps to prevent accidents. There are no trailing wires upon which the children could fall and any spills are cleared up immediately to prevent slipping. The smoke alarms are tested regularly and the children are adept at leaving the house swiftly, as they conduct regular fire drills and are aware of the routine. A lost and missing child policy is shared with the parents, so they are aware of the procedure the childminder will follow, if such an event where to occur. Sharp

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 objects, dangerous substances and medication are kept out of the children's reach, to help protect their health and safety. The home is secure and an effective procedure is in place for the arrival and departure of the children, so they do not leave the premises unsupervised. The children are taught to keep themselves safe when on outings, as they are taught to cross the road with care and to always stay close to the childminder, so they remain safe. The childminder is aware of potential hazards, such as poisonous plants, and keeps written information to help her to identify such a danger.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is confident to deal with child protection issues, as she has extensive knowledge about the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She is able to follow an accurate procedure in the event of having a concern about a child and is thorough in her record keeping, detailing precise information, so she is able to formulate a pattern of behaviour or appearance, which may prove to be of importance. This enables her to guarantee the children's good health, safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children flourish in their learning and development, as they have the advantage of accessing age appropriate and challenging resources, for example, by extending their thinking skills by playing games, such as 'Guess Who'. They give thought to the animal kingdom and in which country they live, being aided by a wide range of animal and world jigsaws. The children find out about living things using magnifying glasses to look at insects and learn about their life cycle, through the playing of games, including 'A Bugs Life'. They have a broad range of mathematical resources to help them with their counting skills, and number recognition, for instance, calculators, rulers, number lines and they sing a wide range of number rhymes and songs. The children learn, through listening to a vast range of stories, that print has meaning and that reading begins at the top to the bottom and from the left to the right. The children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are taken on outings to Hilperton and Rode Park, where they learn about nature and the changing seasons.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is committed in providing all the children in her care with equal opportunities, therefore, they are able to make use of all the toys and resources available, no matter of their gender, which are stored within easy reach, so they are able to self-select. They celebrate major festivals, such as American Independence Day, Christmas, the Chinese New Year, St Patrick's Day, Divali and Easter, so the children learn that there are many other faiths and festivals other than their own. They are taken on outings to various churches, where they listen to stories read by a priest and have the benefit of visiting a Synagogue. The children are taught that there are many languages spoken in the world other than English and that Africa has many languages, which they are taught to say and to read. A welcome poster is mounted in the entrance hall in many different languages, making all the children attending to feel welcome.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action is taken when a child is identified as having a learning difficulty, so steps are taken to promote their progress and development. Space is organised so the children are able to take part in all the activities on offer, which are adapted if necessary, helping to aid the children's self-esteem. Each child is valued and their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 individuality respected, aiding the children to feel wanted and to feel good about themselves, which encourages their confidence and independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exemplary, as the childminder is able to promote positive behaviour management strategies, providing the children with clear boundaries and consistency, therefore, preventing misunderstanding, so the children have the benefit of stability. The parents are informed about any misbehaviour and both parties work in partnership, for example, the parents keep the childminder informed about home circumstances, for example, a bereavement, which may have an effect on the children's behaviour. Therefore, the childminder is able to plan for their care and aid the children to deal with a range of emotions and feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder and parents work successfully together, sharing relevant information to aid the progress and development of the children, for example, the children's routine, making the transition from home easier, so the children settle quickly. Parents report that they are happy with the care their children receive, however, the childminder provides them with the procedure to follow, in the event of them wishing to make a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is dynamic, confident and dedicated to provide the best possible care for the children in her home. She inspires them to take a step beyond what they believe they are capable of, as she knows the children very well. She is aware of the stage of development they have reached, and how to encourage them to take them one step further, which they do successfully, as they have the adult support to feel secure.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She successfully arranges the resources and toys to allow the children to play freely and without restriction, so the children do not rely on adult help or interference. An attendance register is maintained, containing the times of the children's arrival and departure, so they are accounted for in an emergency and so historical checks can be made.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps Ofsted fully informed about any significant changes, such as the age of her own children, so suitable checks are made for the safety of the children in her care. All records and documentation are stored confidentially to protect the children's personal details.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder was requested to develop her knowledge with regard to child protection issues, which she has successfully accomplished by the attendance of a training course. Each entry of the medication records are now signed by parents, for the good health of children. Good behaviour is now reinforced by the practising of positive behaviour management strategies, which is proving to be successful. Arrangements are now in place for the exchanging of information about the children's progress, through the writing of a daily diary. The children now have a wide range of resources which reflect positive images of diversity, aiding the children to understand that although we are all different we are all just as important.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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